Solar scam: CPI-M, BJP question lower court's order

Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram: Stoking a controversy, opposition CPI(M) and BJP in Kerala today questioned the action of a lower court directing the key accused in solar panel scam to give her complaint directly to the court without any intermediary lawyer.

CPI(M) State Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan raised questions on the magistrate's action while his party colleague and former chief mininster V S Achuthanandan alleged there were attempts to sabotage the deposition of Saritha Nair, the key accused, and wanted Kerala High Court to intervene and order a special probe.

BJP State General secretary, K Surendran said in Palakkad that High Court Vigilance should probe the action of the magistrate.

The scam related to cheating of several persons allegedly by Saritha and others to the tune of several crores by promising solar panel solutions by claiming influence at the government's decision-making levels.

Addressing a public meeting in Kochi, Vijayan said Saritha wanted to tell the court something, but the magistrate had refused to hear and asked her to give a written complaint.

Turning down the plea of Saritha's lawyer to record her statement, the magistrate had on July 26 directed Superintendent of the Attakulangara jail where the accused is lodged, to permit her to prepare her written complaint, if any, and forward the same to the jurisdictional court.